London bucks national unemployment trend

Youth employment levels in London have remained healthy, despite a less rosy picture elsewhere in the UK, standard.co.uk reports.

New research by the TUC (Trade Union Congress) found that long-term youth unemployment levels had increased by 25 per cent under the coalition, although London was bucking the national trend.

Levels rose by 53 per cent in the North West, which equates to around 26,000 young people. In the east of England levels rose by 40 per cent, whilst in the Yorkshire and Humber region, the figure was 29 per cent, the TUC’s report claimed. London, however, had a different story to tell, with long-term youth unemployment falling 26 per cent since the coalition came into power.

In this study, a person was considered long-term unemployed if they had been out of work for six months or more, in line with the International Labour Organisation definition.

Where jobs in London are concerned, it is thought some 51,570 young people have come out of long-term unemployment since 2010.

The Department for Work and Pensions challenged the claims made by the TUC, telling mirror.co.uk: “What this report doesn’t point out is there are now 24,000 fewer young people on Jobseeker’s Allowance than a year ago, and there are now fewer young people on Jobseeker’s Allowance or other temporary support than in May 2010.

“Over the next three years, the £1 billion Youth Contract will offer nearly 500,000 opportunities for young people through work experience, apprenticeships and wage subsidies to help them find work. Work experience is proven to be effective at helping people into work at a fraction of the cost of the Future Jobs Fund.”